How much do you tip?

[Simalacrum]

I usually don't tip at all, I can't afford it... hey, I'm a student, what can I say?

My parents usually tip about £5, we don't count it... its odd, are tips necessary in America? One woman from a restaurant ran up to us once in America saying that we forgot to give them a tip, when we actually didn't give them a tip because its not customary to do so for EVERY place we go to...

 

[effilctar]

Snip

On jobs not being hard to come by:

I don't know what's going on in America, but if I wished, I could walk for 10 minutes to my local shopping centre, and most shops will have a "help wanted" sign in the window. I could walk in with a CV and my references, and have a reply from them within the week. I know this, I've done this, as have many of my friends.

On me being wrong about the "you calling them out" comment:

As a past server who waited on "your kind' I can't let you or any other non tipping fool get away with it without at least calling you out for what you are.

This attitude in England would provoke a fight between you and the customer you were "calling out", and would most probably end with you receiving a suspension from work or being fired.

On getting a proper job:

I stand by the statement in my previous post. If you are being underpaid in a job, you quit and get a job that pays a decent amount.

On me being immature:

Look at your comments, particularly on page 2. You have insulted every person who said they don't tip. Are you saying that that is mature behaviour? the answer is no.
Am I being immature for supporting a person who rightfully reported you for being offended by your post? Again the answer is no.

 

[LordoftheShy]

I live in the US, with that said I usually tip 10-15% for average service, 10% tops if the server was rude or horrible and without an excuse, and 20%+ if the service was excellent. If I just ordered a small amount of food or am getting a specialty drink at a bar I tend to just double the bill. I also tend to tip more at mom and pop shops, maybe because service tends to be better and the hosts are usually friendlier, dunno.

My parents usually tip about £5, we don't count it... its odd, are tips necessary in America? One woman from a restaurant ran up to us once in America saying that we forgot to give them a tip, when we actually didn't give them a tip because its not customary to do so for EVERY place we go to...

Yea, that's pretty weird. Tips are a cultural norm in the US, but if you don't tip or you don't tip well its not usually a big deal, as there are many legitimate reasons for people to not tip (not their cultural norm, high expectations of service, low income, etc). Although, people's attitudes about tipping does tend to vary state to state and in different regions. The worst I've got from not tipping well (due to poor service) was a dirty look from the waitress as I left. Tipping is "expected" but at the same time it's not necessary. That a member of their staff came out and told your family that you didn't tip is pretty rude. They should have just let it be, as a single tip from a table doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things (unless of course your family was like 20+ people, then again the gratuity would have been added to the bill).

 

[Idlemessiah]

I tip when I eat out, which is only on special occasions or on holiday. Usually 1 or 2 of the main currencey, or if it's outstanding I'll give more.
Like in Rome me and some friends had an amazing meal, good service, plus there was a girl on the other side of the street playing your steriotypical european type accordion flavour. That lot ended up being nearly 10 euros in tips.

 

[Chicago Typewriter]

In reference to American tipping culture:

Please stop attempting to make this argument: "I don't have to tip you because you were too stupid to get a better job." The service industry is incentivised; i.e. waiters and waitresses are encouraged by the tipping culture to provide the best service they can. As a server, your job is to create an enjoyable experience for the customer, so the customer is encouraged to DIRECTLY PAY for that experience. In America, if you can't afford to tip your server, you can't afford to go out to eat. One does not go to restaurant simply for the food. One goes to be waited on.

A good tip in America is 18%. For poor service, do not tip below 8%.

People generally don't understand this concept unless they've been servers at some point in their lives. Being a server, particularly a waitress, has been rated as one of the top ten most stressful careers by The Economist.

And in a recent servey done by Time magazine, it was discovered that servers have the second most nightmares about their jobs, topped only by police officers. Think of that, and be kind to your server the next time you go out to eat. They'll appreciate it.

 

[MrFluffy-X]

zero times tipping...i dont get tips for my job and im more helpful (most of the time)

 

[MetaKnight19]

One tip I give is to not use so much aftershave *hangs head in shame at lame joke*

Usually the only times I go out to eat is when its for something (birthday, anniversaries etc) but I will sometimes chip in about a pound. Not a lot perhaps but its the thought that counts right. Right?

 

[Hawgh]

I don't tip, they can negotiate their own wages, they have unions, after all.

 

[ezeroast]

The more pissed off the waitress seems the more i tip, shes having a shitty day and she constantly surrounded by ass holes who think they deserve a smile. In the US this chick gets paid crap all. You want someone to pretend to be your friend? Go to a strip joint or call out for an escort.

Oh and dont tip because you like the food. I work in the kitchen and i dont see any of those tips, unless maybe if you ask specificity for it to be sent to the chef. Even then.....

 

[keillord]

I am a keep the change kind of guy so my tips range from a few bucks to a big tip.

 

[jamesworkshop]

Tipping is mostly pointless as most places keep the tips for the business not the workers

 

[Nuke_em_05]

Snip

You are right about that, and servers almost always make over minimum wage. But to think that serving tables is minimum wage work is wrong. Its not worth what we actually make for sure, but nobody should make just minimum wage. That society is weird comment is pretty funny to me though. Oh and tip 20 % in restaurants. Don't be cheap

This will sound elitist, but it is my opinion.

Minimum wage is for non-skilled labor. There is no cost to the employee to qualify for a job with non-skilled labor. Annual full-time gross on minimum wage is about $15,000.00. This is enough to survive. Yes, it is not enough to live with many, if any, luxuries; but it is enough to live at a minimum. There are many social service programs, government and otherwise, that actually allow that income level (or lower) to live fairly comfortably. More importantly, there are far greater programs that allow someone to advance beyond that income level.

When I moved out after high-school, I was working minimum wage ($5.00 at the time) as a thrift store clerk and a Wal-Mart janitor. I did not receive tips. I had a roof over my head (albeit shared) and food in my belly. I was greatful to be employed. My family didn't have a great deal of money to support me in education; but I qualified for need grants, and other financial aid that allowed me to complete an associate's of arts in accounting. I got a job as an accounting clerk that paid twice as much as minimum wage. I added a few amenities to my expenses that I missed from "home life", but otherwise kept my cost of living the same. I was able to get some student loans and finish a bachelor's of arts; which moved me up the pay chain considerably.

My point is this; minimum wage is for jobs that have no entry barriers. It allows the worker to survive. It also provides incentive to move beyond it. If you could live comfortably in an unskilled job, you would have no incentive to improve yourself. In the United States, we misinterpret the "right" to the pursuit of happiness to mean that we are entitled to happiness. This is not the case; it means we are not hindered in acquiring it, we can get it if we work for it.

If you take a job that pays minimum wage, you are accepting that level of income and the lifestyle that comes with that level of income. You can treat it as a stepping stone, crutch, or standard. If you think it is too little, step aside and let the many people who are currently living with $0.00/hr have a shot.

 

[Nerf Ninja]

In reference to American tipping culture:

Please stop attempting to make this argument: "I don't have to tip you because you were too stupid to get a better job." The service industry is incentivised; i.e. waiters and waitresses are encouraged by the tipping culture to provide the best service they can. As a server, your job is to create an enjoyable experience for the customer, so the customer is encouraged to DIRECTLY PAY for that experience. In America, if you can't afford to tip your server, you can't afford to go out to eat. One does not go to restaurant simply for the food. One goes to be waited on.

A good tip in America is 18%. For poor service, do not tip below 8%.

People generally don't understand this concept unless they've been servers at some point in their lives. Being a server, particularly a waitress, has been rated as one of the top ten most stressful careers by The Economist.

And in a recent servey done by Time magazine, it was discovered that servers have the second most nightmares about their jobs, topped only by police officers. Think of that, and be kind to your server the next time you go out to eat. They'll appreciate it.

I've been a server, they really don't deserve extra money for doing what they are paid to do.

Actually I don't go to be waited on I go to spend time with friends or because I can't be arsed to cook not to capitulate to other peoples sense of entitlement.

 

[SturmDolch]

I tip 15%, but it can decrease if the waiter/waitress is not doing a good job, is rude, etc... Atleast I would in theory; I haven't ever had to tip badly yet.

Although I should have this one time. The waitress at the East Side Mario's was being rude anyways because it was a large table of about 8-10 guys. She instantly labelled us as rowdy assholes, even though we made sure we weren't. She glared and glared at us. I used to drink coke with a slice of lemon before turning 18, so I asked for a refill, with the coke and lemon. Her response?

"We're out of lemons."

Yeah. Right. And I just took it... I still regret not saying, "Yeah? Well I'm out of tips."

 

[Julianking93]

I'm usually pretty generous when I tip. Since its just me when I'm eating, my tab's usually no more than about 10 or 15 bucks so I'll tip around 7 or 8

 

[Aerodynamic]

I rarely have money to spare, so I don't...

 

[Micklet]

Its not customary to tip in Ireland, hell our minimum wage is nearly ?9, which is roughly £8 and $15 per hour. But I do tip, and tip mightily well, if its a meal out and the service is good ill tip roughly 20, and if im out drinking ill always buy the barstaff a drink at the start of the night and then again when im leaving. I urge everyone to do this coz it garauntees you amazing service and maybe a few freebies or extra large measures all night, trust me, i know this, i work in 2 bars at the moment!

 

[d3vious]

I start at roughly 10%, but knock off a dollar or so for how bad they are, and add a little if they go above and beyond. It's not an exact science but it is an art.

 

[Asturiel]

I don't tip.

I rarely go out and eat, and when I do, my parents pay for the whole shebang*.

*[sub]That's a really dirty slang, isn't it?[/sub]

Terrible slang you should feel horrible for using it! Nah it's alright it's good slang, like

Spoiler

Pants

Did you expect much else?

Well, tipping doesn't happen in this country so much...
but when I visited Germany last year, I gave tips up to about... double the price of what I ordered.
Why not? it was good service, kind staff, good food.

Damn, I would like to work anywhere you need service so long as I can get so good of a tip

I thought 10% was the standard. Well, I tip my standard which is 10%.

People tip in Britain? Wow! The standard in Canada is 10% if your on the cheap side or a less bad dick. 15% is generally acceptable. 20%+ if the service is good.

I tip depending on the service but I am likely to give if I see the persons manager being a ass to them because nobody is lower than anyone else, management and customers who believe their have 'rights' need to learn this. You get your food or items, you eat and fuck off. Why over complicate that relationship with demanding a smile, false plesentry and all that bollocks?

I know some people will complain if the person serving them did not ask them 'how are you doing?' without sounding sincere. COME ON GUYS! Who really gives two shits about random fat arsed sobs wanting a greasy pizza or a can of beans? You sure as hell do not care about the poor sod serving you, why should they care about you? Fundamentally it is the price and items which people come back for, maybe the taste of the food, not how the over worked underpaid service wench forced a smile and asked 'how do you do?'

I hate the American service culture, it is leaking over here into the UK, cut bonuses, perks etc and demand more, gee. French have it right, take pride in their own jobs but take no shit from customers either.

The customers dont deserve to complain which is true. However just a pleasant not "Fuck you I dont want to be working here" is nice. I just want not anger or robotism coming from the people employed there. So just no sarcastic, angry, or robotic tones. Better there than northern Ontario, my cousin works like a motherfucking slave because thats how people up there think a fucking guy at Canadian Tire needs to treat them!!!!!! Read the bloody label to see it's expiry! A retail service person doesn't need to do that!!!!!! Sorry was in a rage mood there.

Precisely zero since hey can get a job at walmart instead and make 4x that much in basic pay.

So all waitresses/waiters just need to up and quit their job so they can feed themselves and or family? Enjoy going to restaurants without waiters...but then they need to work in the desolate wasteland that is Walmart.

My friends hate me for this.

I don't tip. Why should I give you more money for doing your job?

I'm often called "Mr Pink" when we eat out.

Thanks for the new name! Ill be calling you Mr. Pink from now on, since I work at a restaurant and see this shit first hand!

I agree with that. Also it's not customary in my country, but if I went overseas I wouldn't do it.

People don't give me tips when I take twenty minutes to track down a comic they want to buy or order in for them at no extra charge.

Damn shame I give 2+ dollars each time somebody does their job, which I inform them prior, quicker job is done well more money is delt out. Either hilarity is ensued or they get the job done quick. That way, when I come back they help me first too woot woot! That is if I need you for something, if you just click numbers in a register I'm not tipping you. If you made me food I will, if you helped me I will, damn shame not everybody does this

*Snip*

Very true, I like being served better so I like Canada, I fear for my London/Paris trip. Then again I'm nearly broke after the necessarily food budget so...you guys ain't getting tips for now!

It actually bugs me about how many people don't tip or tip poorly in the US. Especially for things like Open bars at wedding. You are getting free fraking drinks you might as well throw the bartender a few bucks for his time.

If it's a free bar their being paid for their time. If I drank at those I would give him a few bucks...if I remembered, drinking would probably affect it...

In America anything less than 20% for adequate service is an injustice. Regardless of your views on the idea of tipping in general its how servers make their living doing a job that stinks. Sure its not as physically demanding or as dangerous as many jobs, but its psychological warfare, believe me. And for all of you Americans who don't tip enough, or idiot foreigners who come to America and don't tip because its not customary in your country, I hate you all.

Depends if the person believes it was adequate service. 20% is a bit steep, 5%-10 is bad but accepted. Maybe you displeased them, if they come back and continue to do that ask them if you did something bad, improve and get better tips. 20% though...geez.

I'm curious, people who are saying that 10% is standard: where are you from? Because here in the States, it's 15% (though it might be 18% now, I'm not sure). Anyway, I tip 20% unless the service was alarmingly bad. Food delivery folks get three dollars standard, more if the weather is really terrible.

Same in Canada, because in actuality, we arnt too different

And I really hate places where they put automatically force a tip on a bill and the waiter/waitress actually expects an additional tip left on the table.

One restaurant in Quebec did that, it was high end, very old. I cant remember the name, however they only require a 15% tip if you have a party of 7 or higher. Which to be honest I dont see much wrong with, do you?

*Snip*

Very true, especially about the right to persue happiness, people are just lazy and assume everything is guaranteed by "rights". I still support tipping because I'm nice and usually have the currency to do so. Then again I tip in other not required services.

OT: Finally, I tip, I tip well when I have currency. Otherwise I tip 15% because that is the standard here in the land of the beavers!

 

[Nuke_em_05]

Snip

Aha! I knew there was more going on here!

Apparently [http://www.dol.gov/whd/flsa/index.htm] the federal minimum wage is $7.25. That doesn't sound like much to me, though. Only Four Pounds Sixty-Eight. But then stuff is cheaper in America, right?

Nice profession in your profile by the way *Throws Rubber Chicken*.

Minimum wage isn't meant to be a luxurious level of income by any means. It does, however, provide enough to survive and there are plenty of social service programs in the United States that can make living at that income level (or lower [to $0.00]) quite comfortable ("Escalade in the driveway, welfare check in the mailbox" is not as much of a farce as many would hope); and many more to provide means to improve your income level.

We are talking un-skilled labor here; no cost to qualify for the position.

Ha! All civil servants are issued anti-rubber chicken devices standard! You'll have to do better than that!